Distress-signal.



M. SCHOLDER.

DISTRESS SIGNAL.

APPLICATION HLED OCT. 5, I915.

1 205,7 98. Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

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DISTRESS SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 5, I9l5.

Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

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Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

Application, filed October 5, 1915 Serial No. 54,183.

To all whom 2'25 may concern:

Be it known that I, M UR CE SoHoLDnR, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of: New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Distress-Signals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in alarm systems of that type wherein is arranged a series of push buttons for completing a circuit and in turn creating an alarm.

The object of the invention is the provision of a novel form of actuator for push buttons having a locking element adapted to co-act with the casing of the push button, for locking the actuator in plunger pressing position, whereby the circuit for creating the alarm or distress signal can only be broken by the person possessing the required key for unlocking said actuator.

F or a full understandingof the invention, and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge ofdetail of construction and the views for eflecting' the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating the alarm system installed in a dwelling and the like for use; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view ofthe wiring; Fig. 8 is a front plan view of the push button and its actuator, the actuator being illustrated in non-active position; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the push button and its actuator, the actuator being shown in non-active position; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4: illustrating the actuator in locked position; and Fig. 6 is a detail section clearly illustrating the means for locking the actuator to the push button.

Referring more particularly to the drawing 5 designates the circuit, 6 the battery, and arranged in the circuit is a combined audible and visible signal denoted respectively by the reference characters 7 and 8. Bridged across the circuit is a series of push buttons 9 and as illustrated in Fig. 1, one or more of these push buttons are adapted to be installed on difl'erent floors of a dwelling; further, the combined audible and visible signal is shown in this figure as being located on the exterior front portion of the dwelling, the purpose of which will be more fully pointed out.

In the practical use of the system I employ a novel form of push button, above designated by the reference character 9 and provided with the usual casing 10, and plunger 11. Mounted upon the lowercentral portlon of the casing 10 and below the plunger 11, is a spring lock 12-, whereby upon the swinging of the actuator 1% in locked position, the spring lock 12 will suffice to continuously operate the combined audible and visible signal, designated by the characters 7 and 8. The key-13 is utilized in unlocking the actuator from the lock 12 after the signal of the occupants of the dwelling is responded to. The actuator in this particular instance embodies a flat metallic strip 15 hingedly connected at its lower end through the medium of the pin 16, to the upper central portion of the bell casing 10. En-

' circling thepivotal pin 16 is a coiled spring 17, the purpose of which being to automatically throw the actuator after the same has been unlocked from the bell casing andfurther to retain the actuator in an open position when the use of the same is not desired. The actuator 1 is bowed outwardly throughout its entire length whereby upon an inward swinging movement of the actuator, or, in other words, upon moving the actuator toward th hell plunger, will permit the actuator to fit over the bell casing as clearly shown, and the actuator in this particular instance is formed on its underneath concaved face portion 18, with an enlarged orconveXcd contact 19 for engaging with the plunger 11 of the button when the actuator is moved inwardly against the ten sion of its spring 17 and in a direction toward the button for closing the circuit. Arrangedron the underneath surface of the actuator 14 at a point in adjacent relation with the free terminal thereof is a pair of pendant keepers 20 adapted to co-act or.

engage in the lock 12 of the push button 10 for locking and holding the actuator locked to the button and preventing the breaking of the circuit, previous to the insertion of the key 13. In briefly describing the invention, it is to be stated that one or more of these push buttons 9 may be installed in a dwelling on different floors ofthe dwelling and should it be found necessary to give a distress signal, the occupant or occupants of the dwelling may cause a simultaneous ringing of the bell 7 and. the lighting of the lamp 8, by pressing the actuator against the tension of its spring 16, in an inward direction, until the contact 19 is lodged upon the plunger 11, and the actuator locked to the bell casing. The object in looking the actuator, is due to the fact that should an occupant be alone in the dwelling, and find it necessary to give an immediate alarm to parties passing by the dwelling, they may do so by simply throwing the actuator and causing the same to lock and the actuator may be unlocked when the distress signal has been answered or responded to.

The distress signal device will also serve as immediate protection against hold-ups in banking firms, pawn shops and jewelry stores,.in which places the signal buttons, to

set in motion the outside alarm, will be secretly concealed and the victim will be able to set the alarm without using his hands for this purpose, especially when commanded by the intruder hands up. The device will undoubtedly shield and protect life and property at any grave occasion of distress and danger, when confronted with bold robbers or reckless cranks. In other words, my new improved system when the electric circuit is closed will not necessitate the victim of a burglar running into other rooms for the reason that the victim can shut the covers of the automatic push buttons at the place where the burglar attacks him, because the circuit from the first touch on the button, or even by cutting the wire, transmits the current to all the wires and from there to the outside alarm signal which sets the visible and audible signal in continuous action.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, and while I have described the principles of operation of the device together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claims appended thereto.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. A push button, an actuator for said push button, and means for locking the actuator to said push button to prevent the breaking of the alarm circuit.

2. A push button, an actuator for said push button, means for locking the actuator to said push button to prevent the breaking of the alarm circuit, and means for holding the actuator out of contact with said button.

3. A push button, an actuator hingedly connected to said push button, and means for locking the actuator to the said push button to prevent the breaking of the alarm circuit.

a. A push button, an actuator hingedly connected to said push button, a contact formed on the actuator for engagement with the plunger of the push button upon the operative position of the actuator, and means for locking the contact in engagement with said plunger to prevent the breaking of the alarm circuit.

5. An electric push button, an actuator therefor, said actuator comprising a single strip of material pivotally connected at one end to the button, means carried by the button andadapted to co-act with portions of p the actuator for locking the actuator to said button, and means for automatically throwing the actuator upon the release of the same from said button.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presenceof two witnesses.

MAURICE SCHOLDER.

itnesses ANDREW R. GLEX'roN, Vroron TRAYER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G." 

